Photography Schools, Training and Scholarships

Do You Ever Dream About Becoming a Photographer?

If you have an eye for photography, then why not start comparing local photography schools and programs near you? We have decades of experience helping connect career college students with schools and scholarship aid. In fact, we offer scholarships worth up to $1,000 for qualifying students to use toward tuition at participating schools. There are hundreds of trade schools that partner with Imagine America to help students like you find the right job training.

Are you ready to start comparing photography schools near you? Use the listing on this page to choose your school and view your options. After you request information from your nearest choices, download the Imagine America mobile app and submit your scholarship application right away!

If you want to learn more about photographer careers and salary potential first, continue reading below.

Photography schools and learning outcomes

When you study photography, you may learn a mix of traditional film and digital skills. However, since digital has pretty much taken over, you’ll likely focus almost all your studies on this medium. Your photography classes will help you fine-tune your natural eye for the lens. You can learn how to set up shots, color correct and enhance images digitally, understand lighting, perform simple setups, and more.

Photographer schools typically teach students how to work in a variety of professional situations that require photo services. Whether you want to be an outdoor photographer, take pictures of athletes in motion, or snap pics of runway models, you want a well-rounded education to prepare you. When you start working in photography, you might bounce around from wedding and graduation photography jobs to side work in film, TV or advertising. You never know where this career is going to take you. And if you pursue the right opportunities, you can design a career in photography that suits your personal passions and interests.

As you compare photograph schools, ask each school’s advisers about the kinds of employers in your area that typically hire photographers. Your classes will likely be led by instructors who have professional experience. Make sure you absorb as much information about their personal experiences as you can. This will help you make smart decisions when you start your photographer career.

Professional photography salary potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professional photographers earned an average wage of $34,070 per year in 2016. Many photographers work on the side and have full-time jobs in industries such as advertising, film and television. While it’s quite possible to work full time as a photographer, especially once you gain experience, this is a great skill to combine with others. Many photographers learn how to use movie cameras and work as cinematographers. Others work as designers, traditional, animated, fashion — you name it!

When you speak with advisers about photography training, ask what kinds of career opportunities are available to students. You might also ask if any additional training programs are offered that you might add on to your photography classes. The most important thing you can do is to write down your vision for an ideal career. This will give you a starting point for your conversation when you compare photography schools.

Want to locate photographer schools right now?

Let us help you get on the road to success toward a career in photography! Use our listings for schools that offer photographer classes in your area. And remember to download our mobile app so you can start your scholarship application today — worth up to $1,000 for qualifying students.

We wish you the best of luck and encourage you to use our resources to find the right photographer training! Not interested in photography schools? Click here to view other programs.

About Us

The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) has been serving the career college community since 1982. IAF provides scholarships, awards, ﬁnancial aid information, sector research and faculty training; honors achievement in career education; and supports and promotes the beneﬁts of career colleges to the general public.